Penn State Football: Franklin Extension Moving Along Per Barbour

James Franklin's contract status and potential extension is "moving along" according to Penn State Athletics Director Sandy Barbour.

"Stay tuned," Barbour said Monday afternoon on the first stop of Penn State's Coaches Caravan tour addressing the media. "There's no pressure, or hurry from either Penn State or from coach Franklin so I think it's happening as its happening."

The update, or somewhat lack thereof, comes after Barbour noted in late December that the two parties were working towards an extension but as of May none has officially been signed on paper.

Franklin is currently under a six-year deal, entering his fourth year that would net him $4.3 million in base salary. Last season during Penn State's Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl appearance run, Franklin made $5.4 million which included bonuses for that conference title and making a bowl game in the four bowl rotation for the College Football Playoffs.

Under his current contract, which is due up in 2019, Franklin would make $4.5 million in the final year. His buyout is currently $2 million, down from $5 million the first two seasons at Penn State and down $500,000 from the 2016-17 season.

Penn State hockey's Finnish connection was strengthened even further on Sunday afternoon as forward Aarne Talvitie verbally committed to play for the Nittany Lions.

Talvitie is the eighth member of Penn State's 2018-19 recruiting haul and hails from the same town as current Nittany Lion defenseman Erik Autio. Sunday's news comes on the heels of Autio's brother verbally committing on April 25. All